In 2012, the sanctuary system released two new apps. Stellwagen Bank worked with a consortium of industries, academic institutions, conservation organizations, and other government agencies to produce a free iPad/iPhone app that provides one source for information about right whale management measures and the latest data about right whale detections along the east coast. Channel Islands, working with UC Santa Barbara Marine Science Institute and volunteers from Citrix Systems, Inc., developed a free iPhone app to engage and educate the curious about the wonders of California tidepools.

The use of apps is only the latest advanced technology to be utilized by the sanctuary system. In 2011 Channel Islands worked with the NOAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program, U.S. Coast Guard, and Channel Islands National Park to conduct a flight demonstration with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to stream live video during a simulated oil spill response drill. More recently, in June 2012, Papahānaumokuākea and NOAA's UAS Program, conducted a flight demonstration in Hawaii using unmanned drones with HD cameras to detect test subjects at sea. In 2012, based on initial research by Papahānaumokuākea, we took the lead on the use of advanced diving technology for NOAA as ten sanctuary divers were certified in the use of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCRs).

NOAA divers must go through specialized diving training to do their jobs. But recreational diving is accessible to nearly everyone. Visit
NAUI and
PADI to learn more about how you can become a diver too!